In his latest televised appearance Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has told the U.S. government to “go to hell” following questions from Washington on his plans to legislate by decree for 18 months.

Chavez said his plans to rule were “sacrosanct legal authority of Venezuela,” adding “ go to hell gringos! Go home! Go home!" He went on to proclaim, “We're free here, and every day we'll be more free."

The comments came following State Department spokesman Tom Casey’s remarks that the plan was "a sovereign right of Venezuela but certainly ... a bit odd in terms of a democratic system."